Eye protection is a necessary protective measure because the eyes are a very sensitive organ, and we need to protect them during work. Many things in the workshop can damage or injure the eyes, for example, during welding or grinding. Eye injuries happen every day, and that’s why we should always choose the appropriate eye protection for the work we do.
Safety glasses are the most common type of eye protection. The form and type of protection depends on the possible source of injury during work.
Safety glasses have built-in side shields that help protect the eyes from the sides. People who wear prescription glasses should know that they do not provide as much eye protection as safety glasses. There are three options for using safety glasses: glasses with diopters and side shields, glasses that fit comfortably over corrective vision glasses, or glasses that contain corrective lenses from the safety glasses.
Tinted glasses are for protecting the eyes from the bright sunlight. Never wear them indoors or in low light conditions because they reduce your ability to see clearly.
A full face shield provides additional protection against sparks or chemicals and is worn only over safety glasses. The entire shield is transparent and protects the eyes and face from chemical burns when working with batteries or as protection when using a grinder.
During welding, wear a welding helmet where the heavily tinted glass protects the eyes from high levels of ultraviolet radiation, and the shield protects the face from burns. Tinted glass reduces the light intensity from the welding arc, allowing you to see the weld line.
For gas welding, heavily shaded glasses can be worn instead of a helmet. The radiation level is lower than oxy-acetylene welding, but the flame is strong enough to damage the eyes.
It is recommended to wear safety glasses whenever you are in the workshop.
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